53 Fall Desserts You Probably Haven’t Made Yet (But Definitely Should)

Citrus Cranberry Pie

To showcase abundant fall cranberries, make this beautiful lattice-topped cranberry pie. A dollop of orange whipped cream complements the slightly tart flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Pumpkin Cheesecake

When I was young we produced several ingredients for this pumpkin cheesecake on the farm. We raised pumpkins in our large vegetable garden, and made homemade butter and lots of sour cream using milk from our dairy herd. —Evonne Wurmnest, Normal, Illinois

Autumn Apple Torte

During apple season, I always look forward to making this yummy torte. It has a cream cheese layer and apples galore. —Margaret Wilson, San Bernardino, California

Butterscotch Pumpkin Fudge

Each one of these creamy, heartwarming treats is like a bite-sized pumpkin pie. —Kathleen Henne, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

Sweet Potato Pound Cake

Because we are from Texas, we naturally love sweet potatoes, but this sweet potato pound cake deserves to be a tradition in any home, whether you’re from the South, East, North or West. My rancher husband from Montana loves it, and I get great reviews from the ladies that I’ve treated to it at various social events. — Diane Mannix, Helmville, Montana

Pecan Brownies

It’s hard to eat just one of these nutty pecan brownies…good thing a batch can bake up in a matter of minutes.—Karen Batchelor, Bellevue, Nebraska

Apple Pie Tartlets

Good-for-you things come in small packages when you make a batch of these tiny apple tartlets. Sweet and cinnamony, these mouthwatering tarts are a delightful addition to a dessert table or snack tray. —Mary Kelley, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Caramel Apple Rice Krispies Treats

Ooey, gooey caramel meets your favorite crisped rice treat in this caramel apple Rice Krispies Treat recipe. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Apple-Pumpkin Upside-Down Cake

We love the combination of classic fall fruits in this cake. I bake the apples on the bottom to keep them plump and moist, then flip the cake so they're on top. This is best served warm with vanilla ice cream, but we enjoy digging in any time of day. —Christina Yahraes, San Francisco, California

Lara’s Tender Gingersnaps

Soft gingersnaps embody the tastes and smells of the Christmas season, but they are perfect for any fall or winter gathering. I enjoy the blend of cloves, ginger and cinnamon in this delicious cookie. —Lara Pennell, Mauldin, South Carolina

Layered Peanut Butter Brownies

The combination of chocolate and peanut butter makes these brownies a real crowd pleaser. They’re so good that they won a ribbon at the fair. —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee

Maple Syrup Pie

Folks in New Hampshire apparently appreciate maple syrup almost as much as we do in Vermont. When my husband and I took a road trip through New Hampshire, we discovered this pie at a number of diners and restaurants. We loved it so much we created our own version. —Laurie Herr, Westford, Vermont

Pumpkin Brownies

Chocolate and pumpkin pair up to make one of the best fall desserts. These pumpkin brownies are fantastic for parties and picnics. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Maple-Walnut Spritz Cookies

After taking a trip to Vermont during maple harvest season and tasting delicious maple goodies, I just had to make something using maple syrup. I love the combination of maple syrup, walnuts and spritz cookies, so I used all three of those elements to create these perfectly delicious bites. I just love the aroma when these are baking — it takes me back to Vermont and the good times I had there.—Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, PA

Candy Corn Pudding Pops

Bring on the fall fun with these easy-peasy frozen treats. A few drops of food coloring make each pop look just like candy corn, but feel free to switch up the colors to match your event. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Pecan Cake with Cookie Butter Frosting

My mom and I bought a jar of cookie butter to try it out, and we fell in love with it. I knew the flavor would go well with maple syrup and pecans, so I came up with this cake. I like to make a pretty design on the top of the cake with pecan halves. —Natalie Larsen, Columbia, Maryland

Homemade Pumpkin Ice Cream

Folks who favor the flavor of pumpkin really need to try this spiced pumpkin ice cream recipe. But be prepared to make more! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Chai-Spiced Bread Pudding

Nothing says the holidays to me more than the warming spices of chai. This bread pudding incorporates those flavors to make a dessert that everyone raves about. —Jessie Apfe, Berkeley, California

Reese’s Pieces Bark

Loaded with salted peanuts and loads of peanut candies, this Reese’s Pieces bark will send any peanut lover over the edge. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor

Apple Crumb Bars

This has been a favorite apple bar recipe of mine for many years. I’ve made these apple crumb bars for parties and for family, and they’re always a hit. —Barbara Pickard, Union Lake, Michigan

Cinnamon Roll Macarons

These macarons are a fall and winter staple for me. Inspired by the classic cinnamon roll, they are a delicious treat for a cold or snowy day. These pair well with a mug of tea, and can be eaten as a dessert or just a snack. Other fillings would work well with this—including custard, mousse, ganache or other buttercream. —Elizabeth Ding, El Cerrito, California

Olive Oil Cake

A good olive oil cake isn’t overly sweet, so it can just as easily be a breakfast treat or an afternoon snack as it can be a dessert. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Butter Pecan Ice Cream Torte

A simple, nutty crust and smooth caramel sauce are all the preparation required for this impressive dessert. It will keep in the freezer for one month—just be sure to wrap tightly. —Judy Wilson, Sun City West, Arizona

Crisp Sunflower Cookies

These crisp sunflower cookies are a delicious sweet and salty blend of wholesome ingredients. —Karen Ann Bland, Gove, Kansas.

Cookie Crust Deep-Dish Apple Pie

One of my favorite make-and-take desserts, this deep-dish pie is based on an old Hungarian recipe that's popular in this part of Ohio. The easy cookie crust is the best part. —Diane Shipley, Mentor, Ohio

Cranberry Amaretto Bread Pudding

This is an update to a recipe that's been in our family for three generations. The combination of white chocolate and amaretto mingled with seasonal cranberry is my favorite way to end any celebration's meal. —Jennifer Evans DaCastello, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Apple Stack Cake

My mom loved to bake this sky-high apple stack cake. Layer the apple goodness two days before serving. Later, a dusting of confectioners' sugar is the only topping you'll need. —LeVa Clement, Jackson, Missouri

Butter Pecan Cookie Bars with Penuche Drizzle

I have made these Butter Pecan Cookie Bars for many, many years. They are rich, chewy, nutty and buttery—all the good stuff. They freeze well, that is, if they last long enough. A little drizzle of old-fashioned penuche icing takes them over the top. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California

Bourbon Ice Cream

The brown sugar in this decadent bourbon ice cream gives a hint of caramel flavor, which complements the bourbon. When the custard is still liquid, before it goes into the ice cream maker, add more or less bourbon to suite your taste. —Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Senior Food Editor

Orange Gingerbread Tassies

I make big Christmas cookie plates every year, and it’s fun to have something with a different shape to include. These have a delicious flavor with the gingerbread and orange, and they are really easy! The tassies are also yummy with lemon zest if you prefer that over the orange. You can also decorate with some candied orange peel if you have it. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, UT

Mixed Nut Bars

One pan of these bars goes a long way. They get a nice flavor from butterscotch chips. —Bobbi Brown, Waupaca, Wisconsin

Possum Pie

We found this Possum Pie recipe in a recipe box from the previous cafe owner. It’s been on our menu ever since. —David Heilemann, Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Try out these pumpkin cheesecake cookies next.

Brandied Apricot Tart

Canned apricots make this golden, buttery tart a wonderful option any time of year. I brush them with preserves and brandy, then sprinkle on almonds for a bit of crunch. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona

Miniature Pumpkin Cake Towers

I make these pumpkin treats every autumn and they are gone in minutes. The spice combination is perfect for fall, and it is all wrapped up in a pretty little cake.—Deb Lyon, Bangor, Pennsylvania

Nut Fruit Bark

Here's a sophisticated version of fruit bark. Dark chocolate turns into a rich mocha flavor with the espresso powder. If you're a fan of sweet-salty tidbits, make sure to use the sea salt. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey

Spiced Pumpkin Ice Cream Puffs

This extraordinary dessert showcases homemade pumpkin ice cream and cream puffs. The effort is worthwhile...and you can make the parts ahead of time for easy assembly later.—Richard Lasher, Stuarts Draft, Virginia

Cranberry Lime Macaroons

It wouldn’t be the holidays for my family and friends if I didn’t make these chewy lime-flavored macaroons. I usually make several batches a week during the season..—Alisa Costa, Chatham, New York

Apple Cranberry Upside-Down Cakes

Cornmeal gives this upside-down cake a unique texture. Apples, cranberries and pecan make a delicious alternative to the typical pineapple and cherries. —Margee Berry, Trout Lake, Washington

Winning Cranberry Cheesecake

The holidays wouldn’t be complete without cranberries and eggnog. I use them both in this flavorful cheesecake that’s the perfect finale for a special dinner. Set it out at the start of the meal, not just to solicit “oohs” and “aahs,” but to remind folks to save room for dessert! —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey

Frosted Butter Rum Brickle Bites

The rum, real butter and toffee bits made these cookies my husband’s new favorite. If you’d like them less sweet, skip the frosting and sprinkle the cookies with confectioners’ sugar while still warm. —Cindy Nerat, Menominee, Michigan

Baklava Thumbprint Cookies

The topping on my sister-in-law's peach cobbler was so delicious that I asked for the recipe; then I decided to use that to top a cookie I developed with the flavors of baklava. My adult son tried one and immediately ate two more—which is unusual for him! It's a good recipe to mix up the night before and bake fresh the next day for company. —Sharon Eshelman, Harrington, Delaware

RumChata Cheesecake

I like to experiment and make new and unusual-flavored cheesecakes. When I tried RumChata at a friend's party, I knew it would make a great cheesecake. For a pretty presentation, drizzle it with caramel syrup or topping, or sprinkle on some toasted coconut. —Christine Talley, Hillsboro, Missouri

Cinnamon Chip Chai-Spiced Snickerdoodles

I love cinnamon chips, and this is an intriguing way to use them. Make sure to stock up on them during the holiday season. —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas

Salted Caramel Pretzel Rice Krispies Treats

Craving a snack that’s both salty and sweet? These salted caramel Rice Krispies treats can’t be beat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Jamaican Chocolate Cookies with Caramel Creme

I made these for an office party cookie contest—not a crumb was left on the platter! —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota